I've read all the books, have a very
strict bedtime routine, have tried
controlled crying, filling him up with
milky foods before bed and cutting his
naps to nil during the day.
He generally goes to sleep easily at his
7pm bedtime. Yet still, every morning
between 2 and 4am - sometimes longer, he
wakes up and plays - very loudly. These
play sessions include very loud whooping
noises, lots of banging and generally
plenty of moving around.
I try very hard to ignore him - and have
managed not to go in and see him to
re-settle him for several nights - but
this only seems to make it worse. If I
don't go in, re-wrap him and settle him
down, the play sessions can last a couple
of hours or more. And if I do, he wakes
again an hour or so later, and we go
through it all over.
The next day, he is miserable, cranky and
difficult to deal with - but if I let him
have daytime naps - he's even worse the
following night.
I'm at the end of my tether - after a year
of pure sleep depravation, it's really
taking it's toll on my marriage. I also
have to work from home, which is difficult
when my son is grumpy and tired.
Please please please! There must be an
answer out there - although before anyone
suggests it, calpol doesn't work either -
i've tried that too.
